Excessive smoke

[gregtaylor]

I wonder if anyone can help? I am sorting a lovely old TS125 Alpine. It now starts virtually first kick, ticks over well and pulls nicely. I am on a 50:1 mix on good quality 2 stroke oil. Trouble is that it is smoking a lot more than I think it should. It also drips thin black oil mix when ticking over. Two thoughts I had, cold-start is stuck on (but then why the good tickover and running?) or might I have an oil seal failed and it is also burning the gearbox oil? Anyone any simple way of finding the problem? I do want to get this one back on the road again as it is in virtually as-new condition.
Greg

[Old Dog]

It probably has been sitting. Clean out the exhaust pipe, check ,mix (sounds a little rich - maybe) and then take for a good run until hot - the smoke in my experience clears, even without the above precautions.

If it starts and runs nice - run it!!

[gregtaylor]

Thanks Old Dog. The bike was produced in 1979, sold in 1980 (at just the time I bought my first TS150) but then locked away in a shed in 1986 until I bought it last year. I was worried about trying too much on it if it might have been a bearing. It starts well, runs well (I agree, might be a bit rich as the tickover is quite high) and pulls well in any gear. I have realy enjoyed sorting the bike. Carb was completely gunged up so needed stripping. Loads of electrical problems (nearly every connector has to be cleaned and reconnected) but nothing that serious considering it had sat in a shed for over 24 years!
Out of interest, the original owner had sprayed it (badly) in black. I have returned it to blue (not quite the original shade but nice enough). They also used exhaust black on the silencer to make it look "mean". Half of me says use a solvent to remove it and polish up the chrome (which is in lovely condition). The other half says leave it black. What would be your opinion? (sounds like it is coming off anyway to clean it all out)
Greg

[gregtaylor]

Work this morning has answered my question. Once I took the silencer on and had a close look, the chrome is quite pitted. Looks like the black was used to make it look better. I think a good clean and another coat of exhaust black is called for.
Incidentally, does anyone know what is safe to use to remove the exhaust collett if you cannot find your C-Spanner?!!

[Old Dog]

Yes, get a c spanner. Anything else is asking for it. Sounds like you're not quite done on the carb front with the idle.

Good luck and post some pics

[DAVID THOMPSON]

i have found even with the proper c spanner you will sooner or later MESS IT UP
dave

[Old Dog]

give it plenty of plus gas the night before and gently with a soft mallet - what you need to watch is cross threading putting it back. Put it all back loose first and plenty of copperslip too. If you haven't already might be worth washing out your tank and starting fresh that way you know exactly what you are giving it.

[gregtaylor]

Found the problem. It will teach me to wear my glasses next time I strip a carb. Looking at it again (in focus this time) the needle has been snapped at some time so it is now short. Basically, I am adjuting the air but not the fuel. I am amazed it runs at all at tickover!! Obviously, there is a lot of fuel being sent unburnt to the exhaust where it is dissolving some of the carbon in the pipe which is what is coming out, it has the smell and texture of petrol. I am waiting confirmation of a price for new needle and jet.
The rebuild is not quite finished but will upload a couple of pictures.

Greg